Mpho Koaho is an industry veteran who stars in Black or White, a film that opens today. Koaho spoke with rolling out on the eve of the film’s release about his role.
“Duvan is who I play. He’s a young 19-year-old Nigerian. It isn’t stated when he emigrated but he is very educated in the Western world. He has written a thesis statement on just about every subject. Kevin [Costner’s character] hires him to tutor his granddaughter, and he ends up tutoring him as well, and driving him around because of his drinking problem, and becomes a trusted ally,” Koaho says.
Mpho also stars in the TNT series “Falling Skies.” That is clearly a different experience from what I have been accustomed to,” in terms of working on television as opposed to film, and says that it “adheres to my inner geek, my inner nerd, and it satisfies that part of my psyche.” He also mentioned its famous executive producer. “My name will forever be tied with Steven Spielberg, so I can die happy.”
Earlier in his career, Koaho had the opportunity to work with Maya Angelou in “Down in the Delta” and shared a story that helped shape him as a man. “The first day I was on set I walked on set in the morning and she saw me, and I was kind of walking by her, and she greeted me.” Mpho replied casually, and Angelou stopped everything on set to ask him if he was OK. “I said yes, and she said ‘If someone greets you, you say good morning.’ That interaction has pretty much shaped the last 16 years of my career, because I am scared if I don’t greet anyone,” Koaho said with a laugh.
On working with Kevin Costner …
“It was ridiculous. Good ridiculous. It was the most enjoyable experience I’ve had my entire career. [Costner was] “giving me advice, pointing me in the right direction. I’m so appreciative of the opportunity.”
On working with Octavia Spencer …
“She’s really like my big sis. She just took me under her wing and had such belief in me. She’s a big supporter of mine and I just love her.”
